Previously, we looked at the case of Paul and Jenny as prospective purchasers of a catering business and explored how a partnership structure may operate in this scenario.
We now look at the other possible structures, namely a company or a unit trust.
WOULD A COMPANY BE A BETTER STRUCTURE?
Limited Liability: Paul and Jenny’s liabilities will be limited to any unpaid amount on shares issued to them.
Remuneration: Paul and Jenny can be paid a salary commensurate with the time and efforts they devote to the business.
Continuity: The company is a perpetual entity and will not be affected when either Paul or Jenny leaves the business or when new partners are admitted.
Reinvestment of profits: It is a cost effective way to reinvest earnings into the business to meet growth and operational needs as companies can retain earnings.
Security for funding: Funding can be accommodated by issue of new shares (without requiring a disposal of existing partners’ interests as is the case with partnership) or debt financing where company’s assets can be used as security. In practice, however, financiers will still require the directors to put up their personal assets as security.
Tax rate: Company tax rate is fixed at 27.5% (presently) for the proposed business (as this is a base rate entity).
CGT 50% discount: is not available to companies when they sell their assets. In the current scenario, it is unlikely that the company will accumulate assets that will be sold later for significant capital profits. Therefore, in reality, the benefit that may flow from this concession to Paul and Jenny is very limited . However, they will need to form a view about whether they consider the goodwill will increase significantly in value over time and this may influence their choice of structure.
Small business CGT concessions could be considered at the time of sale.
CAN THE STRUCTURE BE A UNIT TRUST?
Limited Liability is possible: A unit trust with a corporate trustee will give Paul and Jenny limited liability as in the case of using a company structure.
Reinvestment of profits not as cost efficient: All profits of the unit trust will need to be distributed (to avoid being taxed at the highest rate) to the unitholders and taxed in the unitholders’ hands first. Post tax profits can then be lent back to the business.
CGT 50% discount is available to unitholders but the nature of Paul’s and Jenny’s business means that they will not derive much benefit from this concession.
ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS OF THE VARIOUS STRUCTURES
Partnership: Usually requires a partnership agreement (which can be verbal but to avoid future disputes between the partners, it is advisable to have a partnership agreement prepared). The partnership will need to file a tax return even though it does not pay any tax.
Company: Involves registration and set up costs, costs of annual reporting and preparation of tax returns. Administrative work is also required to keep the company register and ASIC data up to date. To better document the rights and obligations of the shareholders to avoid future disputes, a shareholders agreement is recommended.
Unit trust: Established by a unit trust deed and, where a corporate trustee is appointed, the costs of setting up a company will need to be included. The relationship document between the various unit holders will be a unit holders agreement.
KEY TAKEAWAY
When exploring the various business structures with clients, the following will need to be taken into account:
The client’s objectives
Revenue and duty implications
How funding can be achieved under each structure and what are the different forms of financial or security arrangements
When clients should be referred to other professionals, such as lawyers, financial planners, mortgage brokers or insurance brokers.
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Note: The information contained in this article and on www.laulegal.consulting website is general information only and does not constitute legal or compliance advice.